Doran wants stay at Caley Thistle

AARON Doran is hoping that his good form this season will persuade Caley Thistle manager Terry Butcher to offer him a new contract.

The winger joined Inverness on a permanent two-year deal in the summer of last year after initially impressing during a loan spell from former club Blackburn Rovers in the first half of 2011.

Doran missed much of the previous campaign through injury, making only 12 appearances in total, but he has become a mainstay of the side this season, while his performances in November earned him the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League young player of the month award.

With Butcher having already started contract talks with several of his squad, the 21-year-old stressed his desire to remain in the Highland Capital beyond the end of this season.

He knows, however, that in order to do that then he will have to maintain his form on the pitch.

"My contract is up at the end of the season, so I’m just going into every game looking to do as well as I can and we’ll see what happens," said Doran, who made his 50th appearance for Caley Thistle in the 2-1 Scottish Cup fourth round replay win over Ross County on Tuesday night.

"I’ve had a few words with the manager about it already, but I need to keep my form. If I do that then I’m sure something will come up.

"I haven’t been offered anything yet, but if I keep playing well then I hope I will.

"I would stay. At the moment, we’re pushing for Europe next season and that’s something I would like to experience. However, I just have to keep playing well.

"This is the best run of form since I’ve been up here. I didn’t play too badly when I was on loan, but I’m really in form just now.

"I’m playing every game and it’s going great. When you get a run of games then it just helps your confidence.